rom 08v28 Divine Providence

 

DIVINE PROVIDENCE

 

"We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

 

Divine predestination is that once for all sovereign act of God by which he purposed and determined all things that should ever come to pass in this world. Nothing ever takes God by surprise, for nothing ever comes to pass except that which he has purposed in eternity for the ultimate good of his people and glory of his name. Divine providence is God's continual supervision and government of his universe, by which he sovereignly manipulates all things "according to his purpose". Providence is the wise and orderly execution of God's eternal plan. And it is accurate down to the very tick of the clock. Everything in this world is moving toward the predetermined end of the eternal salvation of God's elect and the glory of his own great Being, when all creation shall bow before Christ and confess that he is LORD; and it is moving toward that end precisely according to schedule by the hand of God.

                The scriptures plainly teach that all events have a divinely appointed place and purpose, that God's providence extends to all his creatures, and that he thus secures the complete accomplishment of his eternal purpose. God's providential control extends over all the elements of the world (Nahum 1:3; Amos 4:7), the animals of the world (Ps. l04:21; Mt. 6:26, 10:29), the nations of the world (Ps. 33: 10; 47:7; Isa. 40:15; Dan. 2:21; 4:17; Amos 3:6), and the men of the world (Ex. 11:7; Ps. 37:23; Pro. 16:9; 21:1; Isa. 64:8; Acts 18:9). God's providential control over men extends to all their acts, whether good or evil (Ex. 12:36; 14:17; II Sam. 16:l0-11; Ezra 6:22; 7:6; Ezek. 36:27; Phil. 2:13). Even those vile and wicked acts of ungodly men in crucifying the Lord Jesus Christ, though performed willfully by wicked men, were under the direct supervision of divine providence. Neither the Jews, nor Pilate, nor the Roman soldiers did anything to the Son of God except that which was ordained of his Father and written in the prophets of old (John 19:11; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28; 13:26-29). Even those evil things which men by nature willfully perform in rebellion toward the Lord God, are sovereignly governed by him to accomplish his will. He does not make men do evil. But the evil they choose to perform, he overrules for the good of his people and the fulfillment of his purpose. And the evil they would do, if permitted, that cannot be used by God for his ultimate purpose, he restrains. As it is written, "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain" (Ps. 76:10). Therefore we rejoice to sing

 

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform:

He plants His footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm.

 

Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan His work in vain:

God is His own Interpreter,

And He will make it plain.

 

God's holy, wise, and good providence gives his believing people confidence, comfort, and contentment in this world. Since our God is in control of all things, we are confident that he will allow nothing to come to pass except that which is good for us and will be best for his own purpose. If we did not believe the scriptures in this regard we would lose all comfort, and probably all sanity as well. How could we rely upon God to fulfill his promises, if he did not control all things? Were it not for God's sure providence, how could we be sure that he could fulfill the prophecies of scripture? How could we be sure that nothing will ever separate us from the love of God? How could we be certain that he can preserve our souls in all our trials? How could we know that Satan will not triumph in the end? How could we bear the trials and heartaches of life, if we had no confidence that by the hand of God's providence all things are working together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose? I know, and take comfort in the fact, that no evil thing shall happen to those who trust the Lord, only because I know that he in whom we trust sovereignly controls all things for our good, both good and evil. And the gracious providence of God, when realized by faith, gives the people of God contentment in this world. We are satisfied with that which our heavenly Father does, because what he does is best. We want no more and no less, either of good or evil, either of prosperity or adversity, than he gives, because what he gives is best. By faith in Christ we can calmly bear all things and patiently endure all things, giving praise to God for all things. With Job we will say, "Shall we not receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" With Eli we will say, "It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good."